Ohio congressional map is little help to moderates

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio has more Democratic than Republican voters, but is headed toward another rock-solid Republican majority in Congress this fall.

This bellwether state provides one of the clearest examples in the nation of how congressional districts drawn after the 2010 Census using a combination of geography and gerrymandering gave Republicans a 33-seat majority despite heavy voting losses.

The four of Ohio’s 16 districts held by Democrats are more heavily uninsured, poor and black than Republican districts. The dozen districts controlled by Republicans are on average wealthier and predominantly white.

Observers say politicians representing strongly partisan districts are less likely to listen to voices outside their parties, including independents, than those holding closely divided districts.